Those who insult leaders in positions of authority would be cursed, President Jacob Zuma has warned.

Zuma says this is because God has made a connection between the government and the church, IOL reports.

Addressing the 33rd Presbyterian Synod in Giyani, Limpopo, on Sunday, Zuma went on to say that “If you don’t respect those in leadership, if you don’t respect authority then you are bordering on a curse.”

Zuma urged the church to pray for politicians who insult leaders.

“Because if you allow them to insult those in authority, you are creating a society that is angry with itself,” said Zuma.

Julius Malema, leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), and the DA’s Lindiwe Mazibuko have led the pack of opposition leaders who question Zuma’s leadership and morality.

Malema had previously called Zuma a “morally bankrupt” leader who lacks direction and marries wives every year while in June, Mazibuko said Zuma had not earned her respect because he, among other things, built a “palace” for himself in Nkandla and failed to honour his promises.